GRAVETTE -- A short public hearing was held at the start of the April meeting of the city council committee of the whole to review a lot split for Dwight Stidham in the Hiwasse community. No one was present to speak for or against the lot split, so the hearing was closed.
Glenn Ford, a citizen living at 802 S.E. Second Avenue, addressed the council during the citizen comment period. Ford requested a variance to allow him to park a camper on his property as a residence for his father. Council members voted to place his request on the agenda for the April 27 council meeting.
Corey Reardon, head of the water and sewer department, reported a big leak had been identified at the civic center, resulting in a 100,000 gallon water loss. New lines are being installed. Reardon also reported a new meter had been installed at the hospital and 50 more new meters had been ordered but there would be a delay in receiving them because the plant was closed for two weeks for retooling.
Tim Dewitt, head of the streets and parks department, reported bids had been let for paving Gordon Hollow Road and half of Dickson Road. Bids will be opened April 25. Council member Margo Thomas reported receiving complaints about Kings Lane not being graded. Dewitt said road grading is going on now.
Karen Benson, library supervisor, introduced a prospective library commission member and reported the library would be launching a "Saturday Scientists" STEM program April 29 for youngsters.
Fire captain B. Johnson reported for Chief Douthit that the fire department had logged 200 calls so far this year and 39 calls just in the last month. He said 75 percent of fire department personnel had trained on the new ladder truck. He also reported members of the department would participate in a "Make a Wish" event for a Decatur firefighter's son April 20. The department now has 25 volunteer firefighters, Johnson said, and 18 to 20 are usually present at training sessions.
Officer Chance Fink reported for the police department that a new detective position has been established in the department. Officer Jonas Edgmon has been selected to fill the position. Fink also reported the department had successfully identified the last suspects involved with recent bomb threats at the middle school and upper elementary.
Council members discussed surplusing the 1998 Ford ambulance. Money received from sale of the surplus vehicle would be used to equip the newer ambulance. Council members reviewed a proposed FEMA SAFER grant for which the fire department is applying. Grant money would be used to hire three new paramedics. A resolution to approve applying for the grant will be on the agenda for the April 27 council meeting.
Council members reviewed a proposed amendment to the city's zoning ordinance and asked city clerk Mike von Ree to highlight proposed changes and additions to the current ordinance. Von Ree indicated approval of the amendment might still be some months out and said the ordinance hadn't been revised since 1997.
Council members reviewed a resolution authorizing Mayor Kurt Maddox to enter into a contract with John Lykins, Sr., for donation of land on Irving Street between the senior center and Garden Walk. In return for the donation, the city would pay for surveying the property at an estimated cost of $15,000. The resolution will be voted on at the April 27 council meeting.
Council members reviewed a proposed fireworks ordinance which reflects a few changes from the city's current ordinance. The proposed ordinance, which will be on the agenda for the April 27 council meeting, would allow shooting of fireworks for three days before and three days after Independence Day, between the hours of 12 noon and 12 midnight. It would also authorize use of fireworks on New Year's Eve during the same hours.
Mayor Maddox displayed drawings of proposed plans for a splash park just south of the city pool. Plans, drawn up by Heartland Park and Recreation, include the splash park and installation of two slides to replace the current diving board. Cost would fit in the bond budget pricing. Maddox pointed out that adding a splash park increases user volume and makes money for the city, citing Bentonville as an example.
Council members discussed purchasing cameras for the city's police vehicles. Two brands, Gentech and L3, are being considered for purchase. Officer Fink said both have good features. The department is proposing the city buy nine cameras to start, and Fink said they will help with safety issues and make it possible to track the movements of officers from the police station. The cameras are tamper-proof. David Bailey, city attorney, said that prosecutors like them because they are valuable in providing evidence. Purchase price would be from the reserve fund.
Carl Rabey, city finance director, presented the monthly finance report. He said the street department fund showed a $41,000 loss because the city had received all the FEMA funds last year and had to spend them all this year. Rabey presented proposals for budget adjustments, including an increase in the professional services budget to cover Cassie Elliott's fees for grant writing and an increase of $3,500 in the training and travel budget to cover travel expenses to the Arkansas Municipal League conference. Rabey also proposed an increase of more than $35,000 in the sanitation (trash pickup) budget because this item was underbudgeted and proposed setting up a special bond fund to track revenue and expense for the 2017 bonds. All these items will be on the agenda for the April 27 council meeting.
In response to a question about concerns at the ballfields in Pop Allum Park, Mayor Maddox said John Fielek had taken over administration of the ballpark and he felt all problems would soon be addressed. Objections were raised because the concession stand was not allowed to operate at recent games but Maddox said that, if even one child had gotten sick from food served at the stand before health department approval was received, problems would have been even greater.
Maddox reported that state officials were coming to work on soccer field planning, and restrooms at Pop Allum Park would be remodeled before the fall soccer season. City employees have taken over cleaning of the restrooms, but ball league representatives will still be responsible for purchasing supplies.
Maddox said the city had started working on Phase 2 of the walking trails and still had to do planning for Phase 3. He said the trails project would be only a two- to three-month project once started.
General News on 04/19/2017